GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Greensboro Children's Center meant to provide shelter for unaccompanied migrant children is ramping down operations, according to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
You may remember back in March, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) operationalized the site, saying it was ready to take in children.
However, officials said the center is now ramping down operations to only facility upkeep.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan said this is very frustrating.
"As a community, we've been put in a wait-and-see position for the last two years. The lack of communication from the federal government has led to fearmongering and distrust. To date, it seems like a huge waste of money," Vaughan said.
A neighbor shared his confusion about the change in plans.
" I thought it could be a good thing if it was providing aid to children out on their own," said Dennis Brink. "Without knowing why, I say it's a shame if they're not going to be able to provide aid to children who need it. I wish they still could."
No children have been in the care of the Center since it became operational, according to officials.
No children will enter the care of the Center, but the Center must be ready to resume operations and accept children 8 weeks after being notified by the ORR.
Back in March, some neighbors voiced concerns about neighborhood safety and whether it would impact property values.
Now hearing that the site is not taking children some neighbors said it's a sense of relief while others are hoping the children will have a safe place to go.
The ORR runs about 200 similar facilities in 22 states. It leased the Hebrew Academy through 2027.
Representative Kathy Manning said that this site is an overflow facility. So once similar facilities across the country are full, only then would children be brought to Greensboro.
The Department of Health and Human Services told WFMY News 2 it's their legal obligation to provide for the care of all unaccompanied children referred to The U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement - until they are safely released to a vetted sponsor.
You can read previous reporting on the Greensboro Children's Center below.
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